Curve or line chart



Feb. 24, 1931. w. D. wHrrcoMB CURVE 0R LINE CHART Filed Jan. A2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb- 24, 1931- w. D. wHlTcoMB CURVE OR LINE CHART Filed Jan. 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q9 3Q 2S um? E? con* con@ SQN SS. Sow

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Patented Feb. 24, 1931 MEN OFFICE j WALTER D. VHITCOMB,

OF PORTLAND, OREGON CURVE on LINE CHART Application led January 2, 1929. Serial No. 329,930.

My invention relates to curve or line charts,

adaited to illustrate O'ra hicall f a Given set l :n d :s

of facts. These graphic charts are usually prepared from facts gathered beforehand, printed and published, as for example, in statistical, commercial and financial reports to illustrate the rise and fall of the prices of commodities, bank clearings, and the like. But the curves so plotted are inflexible and a change in coordinates destroys their value.

Furthermore, when the curve is plotted in advance from coordinates which represent a given set of facts they cannot be changed, and so are entirely unsuited for lectures, di-

" rectors meetings, committee meetings, or

other gatherings, Where it is desirable to illustrate rapidly and conveniently by a line or curve the conclusions to be drawn froma statement of a given set of facts. Hence, the need of a. device which has as one element a cross-section surface which can be adjusted to represent any convenient arrangement of intersecting lines on which the desired graph may be produced to illustrate the relative `bearing of the fact-s developed in discussing the subject on hand.

In my co-pending application filed Sep `tember 19, 1928, Serial No. 306,966, I have described a mechanical graphic chart provided with intersecting, independently line ally, movable indicia elements, for example, bands having distinguishable terminable sections contrasted With each other, whereby When said indicia element-s are arranged on the chart, according to correlated data provided on the margins of the frame of the chart, a bar-graph of any set of statistics is quickly and conveniently constructed.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple and convenient mechanical chart by which the curve representing a graph of the given coordinated facts under consideration may be readily produced, and in such form as to be adapted to enable the photographing, and thus reproduction of the resulting graphic chart.

I attain such principal object by the comj bination of a. cross-section surface, preferably comprising intersecting, lineally independently movable cords indicating correlated facts, a plate mounted over such cross-section surface, through which plate the underlying crosssection surface is visible, means arrangeable on said plate in variable positions for supporting a thread stretched relativelyv to said facts-indicating lines, and a thread secured to said means, thereby to connect the correlated facts. Thus the graph representl ing thread is carried by said plate in dependently of the cross-section surface, and the elc- Inentsof both the latter, and of the graph produced on said plate may be independentll f adjusted, to coordinate and emphasize the facts to be brought out.

A further object of my invention is to provide means adapted to be used in connection With my bar chart described in my said copending application.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cross-section surface formed of a baci:4 ground having` mounted thereon intersecting, independently lineally, movable cords having each a section coinciding in color with the background of said cross-section surface so as to be substantially indiscernible, practically so when looking from a distance at my chart; and the other section of the cord be ing contrasted in color from said background, so as to be readily seen. Thus the particular arrangement of the elements of said crosssection surfaces for the forming of the graph on the plate mounted over said cross-section surface will be materially facilitated.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cross-section surface including intersecting lineal elements each composed of two parallel, adjacent, independently movable cords provided With contrasted sections, as mentioned, so that tivo visiole spaced sections may be shown in each lineal element, as may be desirable in forming the graph to be produced by which means two or more independent and separate graphs, or curves may be shown on different parts of the chart.

The above mentioned and other incidental features of my invention, the details of its construction, and mode of use, are hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an elevation of my chart with the plate superimposedl and illustrates a curve plotted thereonanddiscloses in brolren away portions the details of construction;

Figs. 2 and 3 show, further details of my chart; i

Fig. 4 shows 4 4 of Fig. l5;

Fig. 5 shows a a section talrenon 'the line fragmentary perspective v view of the plate removed from the chart; 1o

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the plate and the relative positions of the lineally movable'indicia carried behind it;

Figs. 7 and 8 show fragmentary enlarged views of the plate illustrating 'further details of construction;

- faces @on which are carried card holding devices c, c', c2, c3, in which suitable scales CZ corresponding to the class vol to be illustrated, may be inserted.

lntersecting primary secondaryV indicia are provided on the chart comprising Vto, arrange the vcords e, c

similar pairs of endlesscords c, c and ,'f, f,

espectively, formed preferably ol equal contrasting sections, such as blaclr and white. The said cords are arranged about a divider section g over its rounded edges g. and g2. the edges g being wider than the edges g2 in order to maintainthe intersecting coi spaced from each other, see Figs. 2 and 3.

'Laterally projecting flanges 7L and c' are provided adjacent the edges of the divider section g formed with notches 7L and t" in which each pair of cords e, e and 7., f are arranged.

By this construction a cross-section surface is' formed and the indicia elements are lineally movable and by advancing the white portions across the chart, in accordance with the scales provided on the margins, a bargraph of the data employed is thus rapidly and accurately made as hereinafter described.

I have found it practical and convenient and f, f of each pair about the divider section g so as to be lin'eally movable in opposite directions, thatl is, so that the cords c are movable from the left, and the cords ef from the right, to advance the white portionl across the chart, and the cords so that they are movable downwardly and the cords f upwardly for `the samey purpose, However, the said cords could be adapted to be moved in either direction all the way around the divider section g.

A plate see Figs. 1 and 6, provided with equally spaced parallel series of holes 3, is provided adapted to be secured over the face of the chart within the areaenclosed by the said marginal spaces. ,Y

The means provided or securing the plate 2 in place, seerFigs. G, and 8, comprise laterally projecting lugs el and 5 on the upper and side margins ot theplatc wiichbear Jgainst the inner rim of t 1e marginal sur aces, and companion lugs 0 listed to the inner and outer faces of the plate on the lower rim which engage the rim ot the lower margin of th-e chart on each side. lotatable pins 8 are inserted through the upper rim of the plate provided on the outer ends with slotted heads and on their inner ends with lugs 9 adapted to engage the inner side of the upper marginal surface by .rotating the said pins 8 with a screw driver or other convenient tool. v

En, ansible pins 10 are pro vided adapted to be inserted in the holes 3 and to be held in place by their t asien when compressed, see Figs. 9 and 10.

Holes 10a are provided in the saidrpins through which a thread 1l may be laced, and by inserting the pins through which the thread has been laced, in previously determined holes 3, a curve or line will be shown as illustrated 1. Y

ln the use of my chart for making a bargraph the card holders, which for convenience are preferably of the width otadding machine paper, will be provided with lists bearing suitable scales according to the datato be presented, spaced equally and to correspond to the spacing ol the indicia elements.

For example, in Fig. 1 and 11 the card holder 0 is provided with a scale representing the yyea-rs from 1900 to 1908, evenly spaced and aligned with the cords f, Vf. The scale for the card holder c2 would be similar, and the scales for the card holder c and 08 would bear similarly spaced iigures from 1,000 to 7,000, representing dollars. rlhe cardholder 02 could, however, be provided with a suitable graduated scale of percentages or other criteria. i

Then the cordsf opposite the years 1900 to 1908 would be moved downward until the white portions are visible across the chart and the horizontal cords e opposite the number 4,000, supposing that had been the sales in dollars for the year 1902, would be advanced until it intersected the cord f projected for the said year.

Similarly other cords e would be projected to show the sales for the other years.

vAs illustrated in 11 under certain conditions it might be desirable to show a segment of a white line in the center of the chart. To produce this effect certain of the cords e, e and f, f instead of being of equal parts of black and white, would be each only frvhite vertical lines.

NOW, supposing it is desirable to use the chart for a number of different problems simultaneously, that is to divide it into sections equal, or otherwise, in which independent graphs may bedisplayed, as shoivn in Fig. 12.

The White portion of the median cords e and f Would be advanced entirely across the chart thus dividing it into quarters and the intermediate cords e, e and j, f would be used, to illustrate graphs in each of the said quarters. y

For the first quarter the cords e could be advanced from'the left across to the dividing cord f, serving asxed reference lines and 1n the adjacent quarter thecords e would be advanced from the right for the same purpose.

Similarly in the first and second quarter the cords f would be brought downwardly ac cording to the data supplied. In the third and fourth quarter the cords e and e would be advanced from theleft and right, respectively, and the cords f would be moved up- Wardly from the bottom.

Now, the bar-graph being shown, it is desirable to plot the curve of such bar-graph in Which case the plate 2 Will be secured over the face of the chart and the pins l0 in which a thread ll has been laced, will be inserted through the holes 3 over the intersections of the cords c, or c and f", 7" so that the curve of such bar-graph will be shown, see Fig. l.

Furthermore, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. l, the cords e, e and f, f may be used merely as a cross-section background of any arrangement and the pins l0 plotted on the plate 2 at the coordinates of the data, as read from matter previously prepared before hand and with relation to prepared scales in the said card holders.

I claim:

l. In a mechanical graphic chart, the conv bination of a. cross-section surface whose lines are adaptedto indicate facts to be correlated, a plate mounted over said cross-section surface, through which plate the underlying cross-section surface is visible.v means ar` intersectingr lineally moving cords representing linesindicating facts to be co-ordinated,

a plate mounted over said cross-section surface through which plate the underlying crosssection surface is visible, means arrangeable on said plate in variable positions for supporting a thread stretched relatively to said facts-indicating lines, and a thread securedto said means to connect certain cor related factsdndieating lines and thus produce a graph.

3. i In a mechanical graphic chart, the cont buiation of a cross-section surface including intersecting lineally moving cords representing lines indicating facts to be coordinated, a` plate mounted over said cross-section surface through which plate the underlyingr cross-section surface is visible, means ar rangeable on said plate in variable positions for supporting a thread stretched relatively to seid factsndicating lines, a thread secured to said means to connect certain correlated facts-indicating lines and thus produce a graph, and said cords having distinguishable terminal sections, whereby to be ar ranged to represent a line segment termi hating at a particular intersecting line of said cross-section surface.

a. In a mechanical graphic chart, the combination of a cross-section surface including intersecting elements representing lines indi eating facts to be coordinated, each element composed of tivo parallel adjacent independently lineally movable cords, and said cords having distinguishable terminal sections, whereby to be arranged to represent a line segment terminating at a particular intersecting line of Said cross-section surface.

5. In a mechanical graphic chart, the combination of a cross-section surface, including intersecting elements representing lines indicating facts to be coordinated, each element composed of tivo parallel adjacent indepen dently lineally movable cords, a plate mounted over said cross-section surface through Which plate the underlying cross-section surface is visible, means arrangeable on said plate in variable positions for supporting a thread stretched relatively to said facts-indicating lines, a thread secured to saidmeans to conneet certain correlated facts-indicating lines and thus produce a graph, and said cords having distinguishable terminal sections, whereby to be arranged to represent a line segment terminating at a particular intersecting line of said cross-section surface.

(l. In a mechanical graphic chart, the combination of a cross-section surface including intersecting lineally moving cords represent ing lines indicating' facts to be coordinated7 a plate mounted over said cross-section surface and provided With closely arranged perforations through which the underlying cross-section surface is visible, pins adapted to be" inserted in said perforations, and a l dll thread secured to said pins to connect certain correlated facts-indicating lines thus produce a graph. Y

7'. A mechanical graphic'chart comprising a frame consisting of a back and sides, the latter provided With marginal notations of facts to be correlated, a cross-section surface,

.including intersecting lineally moving cords representing lines indicating facts to be co-v ordinated, a plate mounted on said frame through which plateY the `underlying crosssection surface is visible, means arrangeable on saidY plate invariable positions forl supporting a thread stretched relatively to said facts-indicating lines, and a thread secured to said means to connect certain correlated .facts-indicating lines and thus produce a graph.

8. A mechanical graphic chart comprising a frame consisting of a baclr and sides, the latter provided With marginal notations of facts to be correlated, a cross-section surface including intersecting elements representing lines indicating facts to be coordinated, each element composed of tvvo parallel adjacent independently lineallyV movable cords, and said cords having distinguishable terminal sections, whereby to be arranged to represent a line segment terminating at a particular intersecting line of said cross-sec- Ation surface. Y f Y 9. A'mechanical graphic. chart comprising a frame consisting of la back and sides, the latter provided With marginal notations of facts to be correlated, a cross-section surface including intersecting lineally moving cords representing lines indicating facts to be coordinated, a plate mounted over said crosssection surface through which plate the underlying cross-section surface is visible, means arrangeable on said plate in variable positions for supporting a thread stretched krelatively to said facts-indicating lines, and

a thread secured to said means to connect f certain correlated facts-indicating lines and thus produce a graph.

10. ln a mechanical graphic chart, the Lcombination of a cross-section surface, including intersecting` lineally moving cords representing lines indicating fa ts to be coordihated, a plate mounted over said cross-sec-A elements being independently movable on said support and having adual cooperation for combined chartingcooperationwith each other in substantial alignment and as a charting element for charting cooperation4 With others of said charting elements.

l2. A charting device, comprising a support, a pluraity of spaced parallel lineal charting elements mounted for independent lineal movement on said support, each chartf ing element comprising a pair of contiguous lineally movable lineal elements having independent lineal movement in oppositedirections, and having a dual cooperation for combined charting cooperation with each other in substantial alignment and as a charting element for charting cooperation With others of said charting elements.

13. A charting device comprising a support, a charting element overlyingV said support, another charting element overlying said support in crossed angular relation to the i'irst mentioned charting element, each of said charting element-sv having a pair of lineal members independently and lineally movable relative to said support, said charting elements and lineal members having charting cooperation with each other and said support.

le. A graphic chart comprising a support, two groups of charting elements overlying said support in angular crossed relation for charting cooperation therewith, each of said groups of charting elements comprising a .plurality of Vcharting element-s mounted in spaced parallel relation, each charting element of each group having a pair of lineal members arranged in contiguous parallel relation and independently lineally movable relative to said support.

15. A graphic chart comprising a support of foraminous material, a plurality of charting elements overlying one face of said support in spaced parallel relation and mounted for lineal movement relative to said support, and a flexible graphing element adapted for detachable association With said support in undulating relation, said graphing element and charting elements having charting cooperation with each other and said support.

16. vA graphic chart comprising a foraminous support, a charting element overlying one face of said support and mounted for lineal movement relative thereto, said element being visible from the opposite face of said support, and al flexible graphing element adapted for detachable connection in undulating relation With the opposite face of said support for charting cooperation With said charting element and said support.

17. 'A graphic chart comprising a support havinga foraminous portion, a charting element overlying said support and said foraininous portion having a pair of lineal members mounted for independent lineal movement relative to said support and said foraminous portion, and a flexible graphing element adapted for detachable mounting on said forarninous portion in undulating relation for charting cooperation With said charting element and said support.

18. A graphic chart comprising a support having a foraminous portion, a group of charting elements overlying said support and extending across said oraminous portion in spaced parallel relation, said elements being independently and lineally movable relative to said support and said foraininous portion, another group of charting elements overlying said support and extending across said foraminous portion in crossed angular relation to the first mentioned group of charting elements, said second mentioned group of charting elements being mounted for independent lineal movement relative to said support, said groups of charting elements being mounted at one side of said Jroraminous portion, and a flexible graphing element detachably associated with said foraminous portion at the opposite side from said charting elements in undulating relation, said charting elements being visible through said foraniinous portion, and said charting elements and y graphing element having charting cooperation With each other and said support.

WALTER D. WHITCOMB. 

